The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-05-07

hain't been o perfect man among 'em.
At length, when expectation was we'll
nigh exhausted, a cheering ray penetrat-
ed the gloom of their dependency, and
in their minds eye they could see as their
own established pastor, the brilliant young
preacher, who was holding audiences
spell-bound in Western city. A dele
cation was dispatched to treat with him.
He had grsciously consented to consider
the matter, and the whole situation was
as encouraging as it well could be. He
was to preach for them on trial the first
Sunday in December, and on the Satur-
day evening previous, Deacon Gilkey
and his wife were returning from days
shopping in Chicago. Just as the cars
were starting, Mr.. Ames, another pillar
in the church, hurried in, and seeing Mr..
and Mrs. Gilkey dropped into the seat
behind them, the other half Of which
was occupied by a strange gentleman in
fur trimmed overcoat and sealskin
cap.
"Getting chilly" remarked Mr.. Ames
to Mr.. Gilkey, as an introduction to con-
versation, meanwhile buttoning up his
oyercoat. The remark recalled the fact
to Mr.. Gilkey, and he buttoned up his
coat and replied.
"Yes; looks little like a storm"
Shouldn't wonder" said Mr.. Ames.
They've had five inches OF snow up
north"
"Is that so? They have pretty tough
winters up there" and Mr. Gilkey gave
his coat collar another jerk.
Suppose you'll be out to church TO-
morrow" said Mr.. Ames.
eyes, l presume so," assented Mr.. Gil
key, and Mrs. Gilkey said, eyes, certain
ly'' with glance st the bandbox at her
feet, which suggested the idea that
Chicago milliner had made assurance
doubly sure" in her case. But, of course,
suggested no such thought to Mr. Amee,
who observed:
81 guess people will turn cut pretty
generally to hear our new man."
"They ought to-" said Mr.. Gilkey, "for
he seems to be about our last chance,
and I say we'd better take him if he suits
any kind Of way"
eve might as we'll shut up the church
if we don't get some one before long,
said Mr.. Ames gloomily. There wasn't
bakers dozen out last Sunday, and the
Halls and McAllisters ha given up
their pews. Hall says he won't pay
pew rent for the ort of preaching we've
had lately"
at need't make any difference to him
what kind of preaching we have he's
never there" remarked Mrs. Gilkey,
severely.
"What does DIR. Williams have to say
about this Mr.. Grant that's going to
preach tomorrow ?" inquired Mr.. Gilkey.
"He won't take any stand at all, said
Mr.. Ames, "says it's none OF his funeral
who they get. He's put out because they
wouldn't call that Mr.. Otjin; but we never
could have made that thing work."
SHE preached good sermons" said Mr..
Gilkey, reAectively.
He talked through his nose" said Mrs.
Gilkey, conclusively.
"Then the Whites" said Mr.. Ames.
"They want that Eastern man, with the
long hair. He's sort of cousin to
Whites wife. The West End are all united
on that man from Washington. And DR..
Glover's got man down South that he's
trying to run in this long time" Mr..
Ames paused for breath, and Mrs. Gilkey
took up the burden of his complaint.
eyes" she said, "and the Georges say
they won't vote for anybody but that Mr..
Paine, from Ohio. He stayed with them
while he was here, and they say he is just
as agreeable and entertaining as can oe.
You'd never suspect he was minister"
AT this stage, Mr.. Ames, happening to
look up suddenly, surprised an amused
smile on the face of the stranger who
shared his seat.
81 beg your pardon" said that gentle
man, in answer to Mr.. Ames' stare, II
could not help overhearing your CONVEX
sation."
mo harm done," returned Mr.. Ames,
affably. "We'er pretty much interested in
getting the right sort of man for our
church. We know what keeps the thing
going, you see." He ratified, significantly,
some coins in his pocket, and the stranger
intimated that he saw.
"IsD't it the general opinion that we're
paying too steep price for our preach
ing ?" inquired Mr.. Gilkey.
Altogether" said Mr.. Ames, emphati-
cally, "And 1 say we've just got to drop
off $500 on our next man. Why, when
was a boy, minister didn't get over $500
or $500 year, and they managed to live
on it somehow. They didn't throw their
money around on all sorts of extrava-
gances, I'll be bound"
"People say we have these things our
Selves" began Mr.. Gilkey, mildly.
"I don't care if we do !" retorted Mr..
Ames. 81 earn my money, and l know
where it comes from"
Mr.. Ames had, by this time, worked
himself into quite vehement state of
mind. He ostensibly addressed Mr.. Gill
key, but it is not strange that the CON
seriousness that the stranger was an inter
ested listener caused him to elaborate his
ARGUMENT with the distinctness and pre-